We’ve always tried to ask the questions that matter but that are too awkward for people to ask their friends, family and coworkers without seeming dramatic. One of those questions is about mission and purpose – when’s the last time you asked a friend what their mission was? Too often we don’t talk about our own missions and don’t ask those close to us about theirs with the result being that our missions remain secret. Are you just a doctor or are you a doctor who wants to be there for patients in the way you wished your father’s doctor had been? People have incredible and meaningful missions, and we hope our conversations asking folks about their mission can inspire more such conversations in your life.

Larissa Ybarra

Fashion and style have always been a constant presence in my life. As a child, I’d see my grandmother dress in these incredible outfits, some of which she’d tailor to perfection with her sewing machine. She’d mix patterns, use the right colors to accentuate her best features, find ways to pay homage to our Mexican heritage, but the common thread was she’d always tell a story with what she’d wear. I remember thinking that I wanted to do exactly that – tell my story with clothes. Read more>>

Destiny Henderson

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken. Read more>>

Anya Covington

The first 30 years of my almost 33 years have prepared me for walking out of the mission of human2human. This is God’s plan. Read more>>

Jalen Thompson

I was lost after graduating college. I felt any job I could obtain with my degree wouldn’t bring me fulfillment, so I started working on myself. Read more>>

Hipatia Lopez

My entrepreneurial journey began when I invented a product. Once I received my patent for my product then on to learning how to make an idea a reality. It has been a learning process in which I did fail with my first prototype, but I kept going. Eventually, I chose a different material to make my utensil and then it finally worked out well. However, in the process of becoming a business owner – I came to realize the percentage of woman inventors is very low and especially in Latina inventors with less than 1% obtaining US patents. Read more>>

Chemeka Watson

2016 was a life-changing year for me. I was suffering with GI issues and chose not to take medications. I made a decision to try a holistic way. I fell in love with working out, changed my lifestyle to plant-based and got healthy. After spending a great deal of time in the gym, I encountered unappealing odors around me. This, along with my background as a Physician Assistant specializing in Infectious diseases for the last 13+ years, motivated me to create a product as a preventative measure. Read more>>

Briana Willis

My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the 3rd grade, she was 8. The day after she was tested, I was at the grocery store, trying to figure out what I was going to make that night for dinner that could feed the 5 of us and be safe for her. I cried out of sheer frustration-wheat was in everything! It became my goal to make sure that this wasn’t going to be the worst thing that ever happened to her, as life changing as it was. I took every family recipe and found ingredients to exchange out. Read more>>

Chrissy Carrozza

I actually never dreamed of ever owning my own space or being where i am at in my life today. I just never thought it was possible. I have come from a pretty rough past and when i look back at that from where I’m at today .. it actually makes me cry. I am currently an addict in recovery, i will be celebrating 12 years on march 3rd 2023. Read more>>

Theo Edwards-Butler

I [Theo Edwards-Butler] created The Modern Green Book after graduating from Samford University. Originally I was creating a listing for myself because that summer I was going on tour with Missoula Children’s Theatre and wanted a way to find interesting Black Businesses and vlog about it while I was on tour. Unfortunately the pandemic happened, I graduated with no prospects of a job and a list of Black Businesses that I didn’t know how I was going to support. Read more>>

Michelle Fertonardo

I started my clothing line to memorialize two of my friends lost to Chicago gun violence. The name “La’Flare The Label” is dedicated to my friend ‘Von La’Flare” who was an aspiring rapper; and the Snake logo is in memory of my friend Blake “Snake.” I endured homelessness that started in my teens and my friends helped me along the way, so I want to bring them to the top with me, in spirit. Read more>>

Rebecca Leifman

CO/LAB Theater Group is a nonprofit organization that offers individuals with developmental disabilities a creative and social outlet through theater arts. At Syracuse University, where myself and the other co-founders went to school, there was a similar program there that we all participated in. We were all touched, moved, and excited by the collaborative nature of working with adults with developmental disabilities that when we moved to NYC, we wanted to find something just like it. After looking and asking, we couldn’t find any comprable organization and decided to create it ourselves! Read more>>

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Creating art can be fun and time taking, duration sometimes could be years creating a particular piece and still find it very difficult to sell, as a visual artist I tell my true life experiences in my art and I create contents that relates to my present experiences; it collides so much with my artworks and I’ve always wanted to tell the world about the expression Nigerians give explaining their emotions, none of my family is a visual artist and I’m also self taught and my pieces are not from an art apprentice that’s graduated from an art school or workshop but a self taught contemporary artist that is still willing to learn more. Read more>>

Brittany Kimble

The mission behind Studio Plush comes from a need that was lacking in the industry for consumers as well as options for new and converting beauty professionals. Read more>>

Jennifer Olson

Mosaic Collective started from a passion for helping vulnerable people around the world. Every single day millions of people experience exploitation and immense struggles. Whether this be human trafficking, domestic abuse, addiction, homelessness, and other vulnerabilities. Read more>>

John Swee

I am the founder, owner and lead photographer of Dodge Creative. People always ask me where the name “Dodge Creative” came from. I see the world in terms of memories, angles, perspectives and light. I want to bring out that light. I want to illuminate the best parts of your vision and I want you to have fun and enjoy the process. I want you to smile, not because I asked you to, but because you’re filled with joy and truly feel good about the creative process and our partnership. Dodge Creative came from that place. First, it’s a photographic term, to Dodge and Burn. Read more>>

Valerie Bowden

Our mission is to increase trade with Africa by 1%. That’s because Africa only has a 2% market share of world trade. If we increased that by just 1%, it would generate over $ 70 billion USD in annual revenue for the continent. That’s 3X more than the continent receives in aid. Read more>>

Sumin Kim

I believe the value of ‘Community’. Community is connected by people and in community, people can share more information and motivation. It also can affect a positive vibes to our society as well. So, the priority value should be the sincere communication with people. I always truly focus on the power of Community. It also motivates me as a positive creator, and also affects me to get more creative personal branding. Read more>>

Cassandra Hurley

My business XO-Cass Not only am I a psychic medium but also a spiritual life coach.and singersongwriter I share my stories through my music. Confidence Coaching with my business, helping others learn, grow & helping them to succeed in any subjects in their life. I do tarot & also give couples readings in creating a open space & getting to know eachother through a different light & perspective. “Higherself Sessions” create an open gate in doing meditation & grounding, while getting yourself read & becoming your “HIGHERSELF” Read more>>

Maggie Ortlieb

Our mission at VegOut is to inspire people to adopt a more plant-based lifestyle. I started the company as a way to show my friends and family how delicious vegan food can be. When I first went vegetarian as a kid, my activism was very intense and unforgiving. It has softened over the years. I find the best way to encourage people to consider veganism is to present it as a positive, desirable option. Read more>>

Angela Steele

We are a family of 6. Our youngest son Jake was born in 2009 with an extra 21st chromosome (Trisomy 21/ Down Syndrome). He had two open heart surgeries in his first year of life. When he was about two years old, he started getting bumps all over his skin (eczema) . After years of visiting doctors and trying prescriptions that did not work- my sister was at the park with some other moms and one of them suggested we try goat milk soap. I went on Amazon, purchased our first bar, and the rest is history. It Worked!!!! His skin started to clear up within two weeks of using goat milk soap. Read more>>

Laura Hill

I recently left my full-time job and 16-year career in the medical offices of the healthcare industry so that I can live my mission more completely. I truly loved the work that I was able to do, but it became abundantly clear during this pandemic that it was time for me to make this jump and pursue my dream of working for myself. Read more>>

Juandarius Kelley

I’ve been doing photography for almost 4 years now, but before then, I always saw people downplay their physical appearance. I used to do this to myself at times; however, once I opened my eyes to the beauty of everything, as well as in myself, I knew I that this was something I wanted to do. You might not see your beauty looking in the mirror, but I’m definitely going to show you what I see through my camera. We’re all works of art waiting to be presented to the world and we shouldn’t allow anyone to tell us otherwise. Read more>>

Jake Robbins

Our mission is simple, “To shed light on all High Caliber Music, No matter the genre”. Since the beginning this has been the core foundation of our business. We strive to shine light on the smaller artists that deserve recognition. Every song that is submitted to our record label goes through a majority vote process, so everything is fair. It doesn’t matter if you have 100k followers, or 1 follower the only thing we care about is the music. Read more>>

Kenny Occena

Our mission is layered… It’s access, freedom, and teaching practical capitalism. In the 1st world, black and brown individuals lack the access to lineage brands, knowledge and access to tailored quality materials that will appreciate in value. In the the 3rd world, the country where I’m from and where the brand is manufactured for example, Haiti, it’s about much more. It’s all of the above ! Financial freedom; Jobs are sparsely available in the country, Your physical safety lies heavily on your finances, but not too much affluence or else be targeted. Read more>>

ROCHELLE DICKERSON

Rochelle Dickerson became a new mom in 2021 during the pandemic. After having a beautiful baby girl, she realized their was a lot of information that was unspoken about being a new mom. As a new mom, she was happy to spend time with her bundle of joy but felt like she couldn’t share her feelings without feeling judge. She didn’t know who she could talk to about her feelings of disappointment with parenting roles/expectations within her marriage or feelings of denial as it relates to enjoying breastfeeding. Read more>>

Daniel Cooke

To me, music is more than just a series of random notes and pitches, organized together to make sound. And most people will probably agree with me. Music is dynamic and malleable. Sometimes, it rises to a climax and other times it falls to silence. It constantly changes in speed, volume, pitch, and timbre. The effect music has on our emotions is incredible. Music transports listeners from the heights of ecstasy to the depths of chaos, and everywhere in between. This is one of the reasons why we hear music every time we watch a movie. Read more>>

Janey Carter

Paper by Janey’s mission is to spread happiness and encourage others! I have always loved to paint, but after a car accident, I had to learn how to be creative in a new way. I hope my cards bring a smile to you and each person you share them with. Read more>>

Brandi Echols

The year was 2000, I had just graduated from high school, life ahead was far-fetched, very little to no direction, and at that time I was a very lost soul. Most of my life had been centered around my talent being a professional baton twirler. Thinking this would be the thing to take me extremely far in life turns out to be the dream that died for a time period longer than anticipated. Everything around me seemed to fall apart. My oldest son is born two years after high school. Read more>>

Amber and Howard Harper

We have both worked in the fashion/retail world and have spent many years throwing around our own ideas to one another. The timing was finally right and after a late night brainstorm session Black Flower Apparel was created. Our mission developed over time. Most importantly we want to be inclusive. We want to have something for everyone. We also want to capture pride in our culture on a city and regional level. We’ve always believed in self expression and positivity and we aim to reflect that in our brand as well. Read more>>

Chris Smith

I’ve created Heat My Words, a channel that reviews spicy food from around the world. I would like to show you how different cultures embrace spicy food differently, all in the comfort of your own home. Read more>>

Ashley Stevens

My Mission is to have “Inclusive Skincare for All Skin types” When I 1st started The Lavish LipGlaze it was originally supposed to be a branch off of my Makeup business Makeup by Ashley K. I started with Lip products and lashes. I grew into formulating skincare products because my daughter has skin allergies and everything in the stores caused her to have allergic reactions so I started making my own products for her. Read more>>

Susie McCarty

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken. Read more>>

Vernica Pitcher

The walk of the chosen ones can be painful. It can come with great sorrow as the days grow wiser. At times you will be misunderstood. At times your intentions will be taken for granted. My mission is to bridge the gap of hopelessness and being overwhelmed to the other side of confidence and awareness in people. Branding businesses starts with the WHY in each individual. Read more>>

Kari Dale

My mom passed away suddenly in 2016 and, though we were very close, I don’t have many of photographs with her. She wasn’t a fan of having her picture taken and I never pushed her to be in them. I cherish the photos I do have and I pay it forward for my clients. I strive to provide them with fun, laid back sessions that result in frozen moments in time they can look back on and cherish forever. No matter where life leads, they will have those photographs to carry with them. Read more>>

Raymond Sylvester James

The story behind my mission is I want to bring inventions to life that help people. Whether it be to help with everyday problems or long term issues, I want my inventions to improve people lives. Read more>>

Keegan Cathcart

The whole reason I got into this is pretty simple honestly. I love food, and I love supporting the restaurants here that work their tale off to put out a good product. Read more>>

Mikkita Moore

Mikkita why do you do what you do with “this tour”??? Well first let me say “this tour” was NOT my idea… All I wanted to do in 2016 was promote my “lil” book…. At the very FIRST, at this time we were calling it a “book tour” event, I realized that the things that I had GONE through was the same things people sitting in that room was GOING through, they weren’t really sure how they were going to GET through it…. Read more>>

Melissa Ford

My goal is to provide the world with natural cruelty free skin, body and beard care for common mild to moderate skin and hair issues at affordable rates that actually work! Oh and they smell good too lol! Read more>>

Douglas Reed

Douglas is a true servant. He reflects from the time he grew up as kid in Cincinnati, Ohio, his father being murdered at the age of 4, living as a Black Man in America, to his service in the military, working in a federal prison, being a advocate for mental, health, prison reform and veterans. Douglas is a business owner and speaks around the country now on his advocacy. He is retired and serves as the Director of Partnerships for Black Men Heal. Read more>>

Chrissy Fagerholt

Understanding the answer to this question has been journey itself! A lot of entrepreneurs have a clear goal in mind, or a problem they want to solve. The mission behind EAP Toy and Games has been a discovery in myself, how I connect with others, and using that skill to help other people connect. The skill? Through play, laughter, and being silly. Read more>>

Ashlee Rackthai

I am a non Korean working primarily in Korean entertainment. I started an entertainment company with my group of friends who also shared the same common love of kpop with every intention to bring the best events to the very fans who support artists we also enjoyed supporting as well. Starting the company, I didn’t speak Korean well and I struggled very hard to build a reputable presence in the industry. Read more>>

Bobby Couch

Through FASHION, ART, MUSIC, AND TECHNOLOGY we produce the largest consumer facing marketplace in the Midwest. Black Fashion Expo is extremely unique as a B2C event that takes place annually created by us and for us (BLACK folk). Historically, the experience is during the final weekend in February in celebration of Black History Month. Read more>>

Moira Horowitz

For 13 years, I worked at an antique bookstore in Baltimore. I loved it but although the shop had been in the same location for over 40 years, on a street that was once known as “Book Row,” by the time I started working there, the neighborhood had greatly changed and we only got a handful of walk-in customers a week, most of whom traveled from outside of Baltimore to visit the shop. Most people in Baltimore didn’t even know the shop existed. So the one thing that I always wished we did better was connecting with the community around us. Read more>>

Marlena Velez

I own and operate a Holistic Self-Care business, meaning that our products focus on encouraging the total person to strive for better health mentally and physically. Soap making has a dual purpose for me because I have very sensitive skin (as does my entire family) and I like to pamper myself. During my nursing career of 30 plus years I provided skin care to my patients. During that time I noticed that natural skin care and naturally derived ingredients worked the best for my patients. Read more>>